Build a Sauna Tips

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Saunas are wonderful at-home therapy, but to be really great, it should have a proper plan and be built well. A Finnish sauna architect has developed a system of ratings for building a sauna, from one to five stars. A five-star sauna is considered the highest rating for any sauna. When building a sauna, incorporate some of the five-star criteria to be able to provide a luxurious sauna experience.

To be a five star sauna, the sauna must:• Have many stones of the appropriate kind – a sauna should have at least 50kg of stones that put off adequate amount of heat• Have good height – the bathers should be completely above the heater• Have appropriate ventilation – for either an electric or wood heater, there should be proper ventilation coming in to provide fresh air• Have oxygen-rich air – make sure the air in the sauna is fresh and pleasant• Use clear, clean water – regular drinking water should be used to generate the steam, not rainwater or seawater• Have mood lighting – do not let direct lights interfere with the relaxation of the sauna. Lights should be behind wood paneling and obscured• Made of wood – the best saunas are made of thick logs• Have good attention to detail – make sure benches and other surfaces can be easily cleaned and the nails should be hidden• Be a part of tradition – respect the peaceful atmosphere of the sauna

When looking to build a sauna, you may notice you have quite a few options. You can choose to build the sauna completely from scratch, you could buy a pre-cut sauna kit from a manufacturer such as Arvo Saunas or Polar Saunas, or you could choose a pre-built sauna from manufacturers such as The Caatu Series from Sauna Warehouse or Catalina Luxury Saunas. But what are the differences between these options?

A pre-built sauna is usually built to order, and is easy to put together and take apart, if need be. It is a good option for those sauna users who may want to take the sauna with them when they move. They will require some installation, and come with instructions and hardware for assembly.

A pre-cut sauna, on the other hand, comes in more pieces than a pre-built sauna and requires more attention to installation. More design and layout options are usually available with pre-cut saunas than with pre-built saunas, but they are built to be permanent and are not easy to move.

One option for a residential sauna from saunas.com is to install a far infrared sauna room from Polar Sauna, SaunaGen, or the Caatu Series from Sauna Warehouse. Far infrared sauna rooms use far infrared technology to warm the body, stimulating muscles and tissues and helping with chronic pain and other medical conditions.

Far infrared residential saunas look much like traditional sauna rooms, but don't use steam. Different models available at saunas.com can accommodate from one to several bathers, and come in many different design formats.

If you are interested in infrared sauna and would like to install one at your home, talk to the experts at saunas.com to see what model is best for you.

Once you've designed your sauna and picked its location, you need to actually build the sauna. Building a sauna is an accomplishment and will last a long time, if you follow these technical considerations:

• Make sure you have the electric (if you're using an electric stove) for the heater in place before installing the wood• Insulate the walls and ceiling with at least R11 insulation, and then cover them with either plywood or drywall• The ceiling should be at least 7'1” from the floor• There should be a tiled floor, and for easy cleaning, the tile should come up about 4” on the walls• From underneath, blind nail the benches to prevent burning on the hot metal• The door to the sauna should be self-closing without a door knob• Put a heater guard around the heater to prevent burning

If you want to build your own dry sauna, you have several different options. You can design and build your dry sauna yourself, drawing up the plans and gathering the materials on your own. Or, you can buy a pre-fabricated kit from a manufacturer and simply follow the directions to put together the sauna.

Regardless of if you are going to build a sauna yourself or buy a kit, make sure you decide how large to make the sauna, where you want it, and what kind of power source you want to use for your stove.

If you want to purchase a manufacturer's sauna kit, you can send them your measurements and they'll build the sauna to fit your specifications. If you want a little help but don't want to buy an entire kit from a manufacturer, you can also just buy the sauna housing and do the rest yourself.

If you want to build the sauna yourself, make sure you plan carefully and have your design worked out before you begin. Browse dry sauna brochures to get ideas on how to build your sauna, and talk to others who have build their own saunas for advice.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer and want a home sauna, a sauna kit may be the easiest and best idea for you.

Rather than purchasing a portable sauna, or designing and building your own sauna from scratch, you can purchase a home sauna kit from a manufacturer and install it yourself according to their directions. Most home sauna kits come with pre-cut wood, benches, and with the type of sauna heater you specify.

To order a sauna kit, you can either find a ready-made package that fits the size you want your sauna to be, or you can send your measurements to a manufacturer and have them cut the wood to your specifications. The manufacturer will then send you the kit and instructions, and it's up to you to install the home sauna according to their specifications.

Home sauna kits can be very cost effective. They can also be very satisfying; as you relax in the sauna you installed, you can be proud you had a hand in its construction.

Home sauna kits work wonders for creating hyperthermia (or higher body temperatures) for the ancient healing process of ordinary sweating.

In addition to its well known function of cooling the body by evaporation in hot weather, sweating is one of our most important modalities of natural healing, since it allows the body to rid itself of unwanted (and often dangerous) materials.

If you want to install a home sauna, you have quite a few options available from saunas.com. You can install a sauna from a prefabricated or pre-built sauna kit from manufacturers like Polar Sauna or Catalina Luxury Saunas, or you can have a custom sauna designed by Catalina Luxury Saunas or Avalon Quality Saunas.

With a custom home sauna, you will have the most design flexibility. A custom sauna is a good idea if you have unusual space requirements or you have specific design specifications. With a custom sauna, you can be assured that you are getting exactly what you want. If you design a custom sauna, you can pick the wood it's constructed from, the kind of heating system you want, the size, and any other amenities you desire.

With kit saunas or prefabricated saunas you are somewhat limited in the size, look, and functionality of the saunas available, but with a custom home sauna you can make sure that the sauna fits into your home design or landscaping scheme.

If you are building a sauna that uses hot rocks, as in a Finnish sauna, you'll need to select stones for your heater. You may think that any stones will do, but because of the stress the stones are under by constantly being heated and cooled, regular stones will crack quickly. Therefore, select stones with care.

Good qualities of a sauna stone are:• Heat resistance• Does not smell bad when wet• Crack-free• Good heat capacity• Rough surface to more quickly release steam

Good minerals to use for stones in the sauna are peridotite and olivine. Most sauna manufacturers will sell the stones, or you can gather them yourself and put them through a stress test. To test stones, heat them for about an hour over a fire and then immerse them in a bucket of cold water. If cracks appear or a grinding sound emits, discard the stone.

Building a sauna is an accomplishment, and your sauna should last a long time if you follow some simple technical considerations:

• If you are using an electric stove, make sure you have the electric outlets for the heater in place before installing the wood• Use R11 insulation on the ceiling and walls, and then cover them with either plywood or drywall• Make the ceiling at least 7'1” high• Consider installing a tiled floor; for easy cleaning, the tile should come up about 4” on the walls• Blind nail the benches from underneath to prevent burning your skin on the hot metal• The door to the sauna should be self-closing without a door knob

An expert at the Sauna Warehouse should be able to help you determine which technical considerations you should keep in mind.

A Finnish sauna architect has developed a system of ratings saunas, from one to five stars. A five-star sauna is considered the highest rating for any sauna. If you are interested in building the most luxurious sauna you can, incorporate some of these five-star criteria. Or, consider purchasing a Catalina Luxury Sauna from saunas.com, which includes many of the five-star features.

• Face west, so it has a view of the setting sun • Be in a separate building or wing of a house, so the sauna should be properly isolated so as not to interfere with those living in the house • Have its own entrance with easy access to outside, so the user can easily take a swim or enjoy the snow • Be at least 350 cubic feet, large enough for multiple bathers and does not make the users claustrophobic • Have two showers so multiple bathers can shower at the same time • Have a large dressing room, giving multiple bathers room to dress and undress • Have a separate bathroom, so the sauna users aren't disturbed by the noises in the bathroom • Have a window, for atmosphere • Have two heaters, one electric heater for everyday use, and one a wood stove for holidays and special occasions

If you want a five-star sauna but aren't sure how to go about the design, consider designing a custom sauna with the aid of a manufacturer like Polar Sauna or Catalina Luxury Saunas.

One option for installing a home sauna is to design and build it yourself. If you are handy and have some experience with home installation or repair, building your own home sauna could be a satisfying and rewarding experience.

When building your own sauna, follow these guidelines:

• Do a lot of research. Look at home sauna brochures, saunas in stores, and saunas in other people's homes to get ideas for your own sauna• Design carefully. Make sure your plans are solid and you spend as much time planning the design as you plan to spend building the sauna• Talk to others. Try to connect with others who have designed and built their own saunas. Look at their work and designs and learn from their processes• Consider refurbished materials. You can get refurbished wood and metal from many lumberyards. Refurbished materials make your sauna more unique and more earth-friendly

Saunas are wonderful at-home therapy, but to be really great, it should have a proper plan and be built well. A Finnish sauna architect has developed a system of ratings for building a sauna, from one to five stars. A five-star sauna is considered the highest rating for any sauna. When building a sauna, incorporate some of the five-star criteria to be able to provide a luxurious sauna experience.

To be a five star sauna, the sauna must:

• Face west – so it has a view of the setting sun• Be in a separate building or wing of a house – the sauna should be properly isolated so as not to interfere with those living in the house• Have its own entrance – a sauna should have easy access to outside, so the user can easily take a swim or enjoy the snow• Be at least 350 cubic feet – a small sauna is just a sweatbox! Make sure the sauna is large enough for multiple bathers and does not make the users claustrophobic• Have two showers – so multiple bathers can shower at the same time• Have a large dressing room – giving multiple bathers room to dress and undress• Have a separate bathroom – so the sauna users aren't disturbed by the noises in the bathroom• Have a window – the sauna should have a small window, and the bathroom should also have a window• Have two heaters – one should be an electric heater for everyday use, and one should be a wood stove for holidays and special occasions

Traditional sauna bathing originated with the Finns, and therefore the Finnish people have left their enduring mark on sauna use with their vocabulary. Knowing what some of these words mean can help when building a sauna, as many traditional guides will use the Finnish sauna vocabulary when talking about different building aspects.

• Sauna (sow-na) – the word sauna now used in American vocabulary came from the Finns• Kiuas (ke-wus) – the stove or heater in the sauna• Loyly (lou-lu) – the vapor that comes off the sauna's hot rocks• Vihta (veh-ta)- broad-leafed twigs, used for flagellation

The whole point of a sauna is to generate heat, so choosing a heater is an important step in building a sauna. There are several different options for sauna heaters, such as electric, gas, and wood. Here are the benefits and problems with each method:

• Wood stoves: the aroma of burning wood is pleasant, and wood stoves are considered the most traditional in saunas. The only problem with a wood stove is that you must have a supply of wood ready when you want to use your sauna, which means you either need to cut it yourself or buy it pre-cut • Electric stoves: almost all homes have available electricity, making electric stoves a popular and easy choice to use in your sauna. For infrared saunas, electric is the standard power choice. Using an electric stove will, of course, increase your utility bills• Gas stoves: gas is cheaper than electric, and a good choice for the budget-conscious. It is easy to obtain and clean, but make sure your gas heater does not emit carbon monoxide

Home saunas can take many shapes and sizes, but by far, the most impressive and beautiful types of home saunas are designer saunas.

Traditional, pre-designed saunas usually look somewhat rustic. If you have rustic home décor or like the look of rich cedar, a traditional sauna room from Polar Sauna or Avalon Quality Saunas is probably perfect for you. But if your tastes run more towards the contemporary, a designer home sauna from MrSauna or Northern Lights Sauna may be a better match for your lifestyle.

Designer saunas work the same as traditional saunas, with either steam or dry heat to relax the bather, but they're usually constructed of lighter wood and glass and have rounded corners rather than dark wood with box-like angles. MrSauna designer saunas are sleek, constructed of light, high-quality woods and glass walls and will fit a contemporary décor.

Some designer saunas, like those from Northern Lights saunas, won't cost any more than a traditional sauna. If you want a contemporary look throughout your home, and want your sauna to match that look, a designer home sauna may be the best option for you.

Home saunas can take many shapes and sizes – they can look like anything from a vinyl, one-person tent to a dedicated sauna room in the corner of a large bathroom or basement. But by far, the most impressive and beautiful types of home saunas are designer saunas.

Traditional saunas usually look like wood boxes with a door and perhaps a small window, and they look relatively rustic. If you have rustic home décor or like the look of rich cedar, a traditional sauna room is probably perfect for you. But if your tastes run more towards the contemporary, a designer home sauna may be a better match for your lifestyle.

Designer saunas work the same as traditional saunas, with either steam or dry heat to relax the bather, but they're usually constructed of lighter wood and glass and have rounded corners rather than dark wood with box-like angles. Designer home saunas can be custom built, or purchased as a prefabricated kit, cut to your specific size requirements.

Some designer saunas won't cost any more than a traditional sauna, if you purchase from a kit or want a smaller model. If you want a contemporary look throughout your home, and want your sauna to match that look, a designer home sauna may be the best option for you.

If you want a home sauna, you have several different options from saunas.com to consider. The following are some of the different types of home saunas:

• Portable home saunas: portable saunas from Polar Sauna are usually easy to install and easy to take down if you want to move them. Consider a portable sauna if you have limited space available for you sauna

• Home sauna kits: you can buy a prefabricated sauna kit from a manufacturer like Arvo, Avalon, or Catalina; kits range in size, look, and price. You will be responsible for installation of the kit, aided by manufacturer's instructions

• Pre-built sauna kits: you can have a pre-built sauna delivered right to your door from Avalon, Polar Sauna, or other sauna manufacturers

• Custom home saunas: you can have a custom sauna designed specifically for your home by Avalon, Polar Sauna, the Caatu Series by Sauna Warehouse, or Catalina. You can select the size, materials, and heater yourself, making a custom sauna a good choice if you have specific size or design requirements

• Home steam rooms: you can have a steam room from Aroma Steam or Scandia Health Systems installed in your house rather than a sauna. Steam rooms often are installed in conjunction with a shower, saving space and money

When building a sauna, specifically a free-standing sauna, you'll most likely want to use wood for the housing. Cedar wood is the traditional choice, as it gives off a nice aroma. In general, solid wood logs are the best choice for building a sauna's housing, and should be ventilated well and at least 4in thick. Spruce paneling on the inside of the structure is a good choice.

For the benches, you may want another kind of wood. Spruce, aspen, and alder wood are all good choices. Pine and teak are other possible choices, but birch should not be used because of poor durability.

If you want to install a home sauna, you have quite a few options on what kind of sauna you'd like. You can build it yourself, you can install (or have a contractor install) the sauna from a kit, or you can have a custom sauna designed from one of the many manufacturers that provide custom sauna service.

With a custom home sauna, you will have the most design flexibility with your sauna and be assured that you are getting exactly what you want. If you design a custom sauna, you can pick the wood (or other material) it's constructed from, the kind of heating system you want (electric, gas, or wood stove or infrared), and the size.

Whereas with kit saunas or prefabricated saunas you are limited in the size, look, and functionality of the saunas available, with a custom home sauna you can make sure that the sauna fits into your home design or landscaping scheme and that it exactly fits your needs.

A custom sauna (depending on the size chosen and materials used) can be more expensive than buying a prefabricated kit, but if you want the sauna to be built to your exact specifications, the cost is worth it.

If you want a home sauna, you have several different options to consider. The following are some of the different types of home saunas:

• Portable home saunas: portable saunas can be take the shape of a tent or box, and can be moved easily and installed in smaller spaces. They can also be more cost-effective than traditional sauna rooms

• Home sauna kits: you can buy a prefabricated sauna kit from a manufacturer; kits range in size, look, and price. It is usually up to you or a contractor to install the kit

• Custom home saunas: you can have a custom sauna designed specifically for your home, selecting the size, materials, and heater yourself

• Home steam rooms: you can have a steam room installed in your house rather than a sauna. Steam rooms often are installed in conjunction with a shower, saving space and money

Your sauna can be virtually any size you choose; from personal, horizontal Infra-Therapist units, to the non-pesticide wooden TheraSauna cabins. Photos tell a better story, so always ask to see a picture of the sauna you are considering. You can visualize how this heat helps your body rejuvenate and detoxify. Steam saunas are also available using the additional benefit of aromatherapy essential oils.

Building your own sauna just got easier with a complete kit using non pesticide white woods for no off-gassing of toxic substances. Building your sauna becomes a snap with precise measured side walls, roof and flooring along with state of the art ceramic heaters. You combine all these to create an idea environment for detoxification and enhanced calorie burning.

If you're interested in boosting your body's natural healing processes, aiding your body in releasing its toxins, easing tension and stiffness, if you want to burn calories without moving a muscle then sauna kits are all good news.

If you have decided you want a pre-fabricated home sauna kit or a custom home sauna from a manufacturer, you will need to decide what manufacturer to purchase from. Saunas.com offers many models from several different manufacturers of saunas. Browse these manufacturers to see what is right for your home sauna:

• Polar Sauna – Polar Sauna offers a wide range of sauna models, from small, portable sauna rooms to larger outdoor models. They also offer pre-cut and pre-built sauna kits with a range of amenities you can add

Having a home sauna is convenient and relaxing. But what if you don't have the space for an indoor sauna, and don't want a portable sauna? An outdoor sauna from saunas.com is an excellent solution.

Outdoor home saunas, like those from Polar Sauna and Avalon Saunas, are tradition in Scandinavian countries, and combine the relaxation of a sauna with the beauty of the outdoors. An outdoor sauna from saunas.com can enhance your landscape and help you relax and de-tox at the same time.

If you want an outdoor sauna, you can purchase a pre-built sauna from a manufacturer like Catalina or Avalon; at saunas.com, outdoor saunas are available in a variety of designs.

When deciding on a design for your outdoor sauna, think about what kind of power will be available easily on your property, as you will need to power the sauna stove or heater. Wood, gas, or electric is standard, but make sure that it is legal to install an outbuilding by your home with one of these types of power.

Deciding where you want to put your sauna may be the most important point to take into consideration before building it. Do you want the sauna inside, or outside? Do you want it to be freestanding, or in an existing room, such as a bathroom? How big do you want it to be, and where will it fit?

Another consideration when building your sauna and deciding a location is where you live. If you are in the country, an outdoor sauna with a wood stove may be a good choice, because there is more room and there is firewood available. If you are in an urban environment, on the other hand, an electric heater in an indoor sauna may be a better choice.

Research local building codes to make sure that wood burning stoves are allowed where you are, and what (if any) kind of restrictions go along with them. Also see if you need to obtain a permit to build an outdoor sauna.

If you have decided you want a pre-fabricated home sauna kit or a custom home sauna from a manufacturer, you will need to decide what manufacturer to purchase from. When considering what manufacturer to work with, consider the following items:

• How much information is available? – Most manufacturers will be more than happy to provide you with multiple brochures, catalogs, and even videotapes or DVDs to peruse their work. Try to do your initial research online, then begin to deal with the manufacturer directly• Can you see the manufacturer's work in person? See if there are models of the home sauna you're considering available to see in person. It's one thing to see a picture of the home sauna you're considering, but quite another thing to see it in person – seeing the sauna may make up your mind quickly to go or not go with a certain manufacturer• Can you get references? See if it's possible to see a sauna actually installed in someones home from the manufacturer you're considering, or at least to be able to talk to people who have purchased from that manufacturer to see if they're satisfied• What is the manufacturer's business record? Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the manufacturer, and if they have been resolved satisfactorily

Building a sauna can be a cost-saving and enjoyable experience. Make sure to think about all design considerations, though, before you actually start to build your sauna. Some points to keep in mind:• How large do you want your sauna? How many people should it accommodate?• How large do you want your heater or stove to be, and how much are you willing to spend on it?• Do you want any additional rooms, like a shower or changing area?• Do you want to build from a prefabricated sauna kit, or do you want to gather your materials yourself?• Where do you want the sauna? Should it be indoors, or out?• Is your electric power in the area you're building adequate and up to code?• What kind of wood do you want to use? Is it appropriate?

Home saunas can provide a lifetime of enjoyment, if carefully planned and executed. If you want to install a home sauna, there are several design aspects you should consider. Think about the following:

-How big do you want the home sauna to be? Figure out how many people you'd like to be able to use the sauna at a time, and how much space you can dedicate to the sauna-How much do you want to spend? If money is no object when building your home sauna, go crazy: install all the amenities you want in your sauna without worry. If, on the other hand, you want to stay within a budget, consider what the most important aspects of the home sauna will be: materials? Size? Look? -What kind of heat do you want? Research the different kinds of sauna heat (gas, electric, or wood stove, or infrared) and figure out what will be the best for your home sauna-Should it be inside or outside? Do you want a traditional outdoor home sauna, or do you have space for the sauna inside?

By carefully pre-planning your sauna, you will be happier with the end result.

If you are building a sauna that uses hot rocks, you may need to select stones for your heater. Because of the stress the stones in a sauna are under by constantly being heated and cooled, regular stones will crack quickly. Therefore, select stones with care.

A good sauna stone must be heat resistant, odorless, crack-free, have good heat capacity, and have a rough surface to more quickly release steam. If you need to select your own stones for your heater, either look up the types of stones included with manufactured heaters or ask a sauna expert at saunas.com.

Good minerals to use for stones in the sauna are peridotite and olivine. If you purchase your heater from a sauna manufacturer, most will include the rocks or recommend good rocks to use. The Caatu Series by Sauna Warehouse features olivine stones, and Polar Sauna models include Vulcanite sauna stones. Building a sauna, Stones, hot-rock sauna, heat

When building a sauna, you can use materials that you buy from a local hardware store, or build it from a kit from a manufacturer. One other option when building a sauna is to use refurbished or reclaimed materials in your sauna.

There are many places you can purchase reclaimed wood, which would be perfect for your sauna. Some lumberyards specialize in reclaimed wood, and other companies sell it exclusively. You may also be able to get lucky and know someone who has wood available for your use.

You can be creative with the other materials that go into your sauna, as well. For example, one creative person who decided to build a sauna used a beer keg to hold the heated water for the steam, and “shingled” the sauna with old license plates. He used reclaimed engine pistons for towel hangers, and he found the stovepipe that vented the sauna on the side of the road. He made the awning on the sauna from an old Chevy truck.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer and want a home sauna, a pre-cut sauna kit from Arvo Saunas or Catalina Luxury saunas may be the easiest and best idea for you.

Rather than purchasing a portable sauna, or designing and building your own sauna from scratch, you can purchase a home sauna kit from saunas.com and install it yourself according to their directions. Most home sauna kits, like those from Arvo, come with pre-cut wood, benches, and a sauna heater.

To order a sauna kit, you can either find a ready-made package that fits the size you want your sauna to be, or you can send your measurements to a manufacturer like Catalina Luxury Saunas and have the wood cut to your specifications. Catalina will then send you the kit and instructions, and you to install the home sauna according to their specifications.

Home sauna kits from saunas.com can be very cost effective and also very satisfying; as you relax in the sauna you installed, you can be proud you had a hand in its construction.

If you want the benefits of a sauna in your home but don't want a traditional sauna, a home steam room from Aroma Steam or Scandia Health Systems may be an option for you.

There are different kinds of home steam rooms, such as portable steam rooms from Aroma Steam or built-in rooms from Scandia.

Steam showers from Scandia are designed to replace traditional showers and bring an air of luxury to your bathroom. Steam showers can save space, as you don't need a traditional shower as well as a steam shower in the same bathroom.

Portable steam cabinets from Aroma Steam take up little space and are easy to set up and take down, making them a good solution if you don't have a lot of room to dedicate to a steam room or steam shower.

When building a sauna, you can use materials that you buy from a local hardware store, or build it from a sauna kit from a manufacturer, such as Polar Sauna, MrSauna, or Arvo Saunas -- all available at saunas.com. Another option when building a sauna is to use refurbished or reclaimed materials in your sauna.

There are many places you can purchase reclaimed wood which would be perfect for your sauna. Some lumberyards specialize in reclaimed wood, and other companies sell it exclusively. You may also know someone who has wood available for your use.

You can be creative with the other materials that go into your sauna, as well. For example, one creative person who built a sauna used a beer keg to hold the heated water for the steam, and “shingled” the sauna with old license plates. He used reclaimed engine pistons for towel hangers, and he found the stovepipe that vented the sauna on the side of the road. He made the awning on the sauna from an old Chevy truck.

If you use refurbished materials, make sure your stove is safe and you are using appropriate materials; just because the sauna is “recycled” you need to pay attention to building standards and safety.

If you don't want to design your own sauna and purchase all the materials yourself, you can buy a kit from a manufacturer that will let you quickly build a sauna.

To get a manufactured sauna kit, choose a manufacturer whose packages fit your needs (size, price, and construction methods), and then supply the manufacturer with the measurements for your sauna. The manufacturer will cut all your boards and label them for easy installation, and also send all the accessories you need, like the door, benches, heater, and thermometer.

You may need to provide your own insulation for your sauna; don't skip this step, as it's essential for appropriate heating. Install the rest of the sauna according to the manufacturer's directions, checking every so often to make sure you're on the right track.

When putting together your sauna, make sure you don't leave any exposed metal, as it gets very hot and can burn your skin. Also use all the trim and finishing parts the manufacturer sends to make sure your sauna has a finished, professional look.

Perhaps the most important point to take into consideration before building a sauna is where you want it to go. Will it be inside, or outside? Will it be freestanding, or in an existing room, such as a bathroom? How big does it need to be, and where will it fit?

Where you live (and are subsequently building your sauna) may also play a role in what kind of sauna you want to have. If you are in the country, a wood stove may be a good source of heat because of the availability of firewood. If you are in an urban environment, on the other hand, electric may be a better choice.

Make sure wherever you live you do research on the local building codes, to make sure that wood burning stoves are allowed, and what kind of restrictions go along with them. You may also need to obtain a permit to build an outdoor sauna.

A Finnish sauna architect has developed a system of ratings saunas, from one to five stars. A five-star sauna is considered the highest rating for any sauna. If you are interested in building the most luxurious sauna you can, incorporate some of these five-star criteria. Or, consider purchasing a Catalina Luxury Sauna from saunas.com, which includes many of the five-star features.

• Have many stones of the appropriate kind, at least 50kg of stones that put off adequate amount of heat • Have good bench height, so the bathers should be completely above the heater • Have appropriate ventilation; for either an electric or wood heater, there should be proper ventilation coming in to provide fresh air • Have oxygen-rich air, making sure the air in the sauna is fresh and pleasant • Use clear, clean water, such as regular drinking water, not rainwater or seawater • Have mood lighting, so direct lights do not interfere with the relaxation of the users. Lights should be behind wood paneling and obscured • Made of wood, like thick logs • Have good attention to detail, like benches and other surfaces that can be easily cleaned and nails that are hidden

If you want a five-star sauna but aren't sure how to go about the design, consider designing a custom sauna with the aid of a manufacturer like Polar Sauna or Catalina Luxury Saunas.

Having a home sauna is convenient and relaxing. But what if you don't have the space for an indoor sauna, and don't want a portable sauna? An outdoor sauna is an excellent solution.

Outdoor home saunas are tradition in Scandinavian countries; bathers would sit in the sauna and then go out and plunge themselves in the snow or a cold lake, then return to the sauna to warm up. This process refreshing, and is cleansing to the skin and body.

If you want an outdoor sauna, you can purchase an outdoor sauna kit from a manufacturer or design and build it yourself. When thinking about your outdoor home sauna design, consider having a separate changing room attached to the sauna, so bathers don't have to change inside the house, and having a bathroom with a shower attached to the sauna as well.

Also, when designing your outdoor sauna, think about what kind of power will be available easily on your property, as you will need to power the sauna stove or heater. Wood, gas, or electric is standard, but make sure that it is legal to install an outbuilding by your home with one of these types of power.

A home sauna from saunas.com can provide years of enjoyment if you carefully select the right sauna. If you want to install a home sauna, there are several design aspects you should consider.

Think about the following:

• How big do you want the home sauna to be? Portable saunas from Polar Sauna will seat only two people, but an outdoor sauna from Catalina Luxury Saunas can accommodate up to seven people. Figure out how many people you'd like to be able to use the sauna at a time, and how much space you can dedicate to the sauna

• How much do you want to spend? If money is no object when building your home sauna, go crazy: install all the amenities you want in your sauna without worry. If, on the other hand, you want to stay within a budget, consider what the most important aspects of the home sauna will be, and dedicate your money to that aspect. If you are on a strict budget, consider a portable steam cabinet from Aroma Steam

• What kind of heat do you want? Research the different kinds of sauna heat (gas, electric, or wood stove, or infrared) and figure out what will be the best for your home sauna

• Should it be inside or outside? Do you want a traditional outdoor home sauna, or do you have space for the sauna inside? Saunas.com offers various models of outdoor and indoor saunas from manufacturers like Polar Sauna and the Caatu Series from Sauna Warehouse

By carefully pre-planning your sauna, you will be happier with the end result.

Building your own sauna can be an enjoyable experience. You should keep the following design considerations in mind when you are designing and building your sauna:

• How large do you want your sauna? How many people should it accommodate? • How large do you want your heater or stove to be, and how much are you willing to spend on it? • Do you want any additional rooms, like a shower or changing area? • Do you want to build from a prefabricated kit, or do you want to gather your materials yourself? • Where do you want the sauna? Should it be indoors, or out? • Is your electric power in the area you're building adequate and up to code? • What kind of wood do you want to use? Is it appropriate?

To get ideas for your design, talk to an expert at Saunas.com and review the products available there; look at pictures on the site to see what you like.

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